Real Madrid have performed at a very high level since Xabi Alonso's arrival at the club. There have been two sub-par performances, but this club's floor has been raised by the new coach.
Real Madrid have won all but one of their games so far this season, which just happened to be the 5-2 drubbing away from home against rivals Atletico Madrid, and now get ready for a tough run in both the league and the Champions League as they face Juventus, Barcelona, Valencia and Liverpool in two weeks.
Real Madrid's international break could have been better and without many problems, but it just happened so that many players got nagging injuries that required treatment. Two of the players that didn't, though, actually made a brilliant case for them to start every single game for Real Madrid.
Arda Güler and Éder Militão had some good international break performances that just cannot be ignored. Güler ended the break with three brilliant goal involvements, while the one game that Militão played, Brazil kept a clean sheet.
Eder Miitão and Arda Güler have been absolutely superb
In fact, it is so good now that it cannot be ignored. If these two players were not already nailed-on starters, those games - and the game against Getafe have shown that they actually are.
Even though they were easily two of the best performers for Real Madrid week in week out, it was obviously for a reason that Xabi Alonso was also thinking of other players in his position.
Militão has Antonio Rüdiger breathing down his neck whenever he is fit, while Güler is facing competition from players like Eduardo Camavinga.
Against Getafe, Militão was Real Madrid's best defender, and Güler changed the game off the bench - assisting Kylian Mbappé's well-taken goal.
So, despite competition, Güler and Militão have shown that they are fully deserving of the title of being nailed-on starters for this club.
If it already was not clear enough by their performances before the international break, it certainly must be by their performances during it, as well as after it.
Güler just provides something different to this Real Madrid side - something they lack in creativity. Militão's aerial presence is second to none in the squad, which is also very important to think about.
There may be some brilliant players within their own right in this Real Madrid team, and some of them may deserve to be nailed-on starters. But no one deserves it over these two, especially not right now.